'I
am very much interested in her, Mr. Crow,' he answered. 'Poor child, I
have had her in mind for a long time,' he went on very solemn. I begin
to suspect right away that he had a lot to do with her affairs. Somehow,
I couldn't help thinkin' I'd seen him in Tinkletown about the time she
was dropped--left, I mean.
"'You have given her a good eddication, I hope,' said he. 'Yes, she's
got the best in town,' said I. 'The thousand dollars came all right
every year?' 'Every February.' 'I should like to see her sometime, if I
may, without her knowin' it, Mr. Crow.' 'An' why that way, sir?'
demanded I. 'It would probably annoy her if she thought I was regardin'
her as an object of curiosity,' said he. 'Tell her fer me,' he went on'
gittin' ready to whip up, 'that she has an unknown friend who would give
anything he has to help her.' Goshed, if he didn't put the gad to his
horse an' gallop off 'fore I could say another word. I was goin' to ask
him a lot of questions, too."
"Can't you remember where and under what circumstances you saw him
before?" cried Bonner, very much excited.
"I'm goin' to try to think it up to-night. He was a rich-lookin' feller
an' he had a heavy black band aroun' one of his coat sleeves. Wick, I
bet he's the man we want. I've made up my mind 'at he's her father!"
Bonner impatiently wormed all the information possible out of the
marshal, especially as to the stranger's looks, voice, the direction
taken when they parted company and then dismally concluded that an
excellent opportunity had been hopelessly lost.
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